senator hagel's answer was no. senator hagel, like all of our nominees, has undergone a thorough f.b.i. background investigation. and senator inhofe and i reviewed the f.b.i. file. innuendo that senator hagel could somehow be hiding the fact that he's on the payroll of a foreign power is offensive to those of us who have served with him and is beneath the dignity of the united states senate. i ask unanimous consent that a series of letters in which certain senators requested additional financial disclosure and the letter that i responded with be made part of the record at this time. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. levin: mr. president, the department of defense right now needs its new leader. its current leader who has done a great job has announced that he is leaving and has set a time for that departure. we face a budgetary challenge of immense proportions not just in the department of defense but in all of our agencies. our military is engaged in combat operations overseas. north korea